Hodgson adds goalkeeping coach to England staff

New England manager Roy Hodgson added to his backroom staff Thursday with the announcement Birmingham City goalkeeping coach Dave Watson will be on board for next month's European Championships.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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London:

New England manager Roy Hodgson added to his backroom staff Thursday with the announcement Birmingham City goalkeeping coach Dave Watson will be on board for next month's European Championships.

England are also set to retain the services of Liverpool great and former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, goalkeeping coach under Hodgson's predecessor Fabio Capello.

Watson, however, worked closely with Joe Hart during the current England number one's loan spell with Birmingham during the 2009/10 season.

A former England Under-21 international, Watson spent his entire playing career at Barnsley but was forced to retire through injury aged 28.

Hodgson, due to name his squad for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine next week, welcomed Watson's appointment by saying: "Dave is highly rated throughout the game and is well respected by the goalkeepers who have worked with him, importantly Joe Hart.

"He has worked with a number of current English goalkeepers and has experience of working with England development teams so we know he will fit in well with the squad.

"I'm personally delighted to have him as part of the England staff at the tournament.

"I'd like to thank everyone at Birmingham City Football Club for agreeing to Dave working at the Euros."